Saturday, June 29, 2013

Visit the Rio Salado College Facebook page to view the full in-costume photo shoot with Sarrah Wilkinson at RSC Tempe.

Sarrah Wilkinson, systems analyst at Rio Salado College, is an advocate of lifelong learning, and she’s not afraid to try something new. Visitors to the 2013 Phoenix Comicon may know Wilkinson as Garrus Vakarian from BioWare’s Mass Effect video game series. Her handmade costume was a standout at the event and garnered quite a bit of attention, including recognition from the official BioWare twitter account.

“I designed my costume to try and imitate the character’s look as much as possible, including a full head mask with a moving jaw,” said Wilkinson. “I also made a large armored carapace, three-fingered hands and two toes on semi-digitigrade feet.”

Wilkinson said the project took about seven months to complete and that she learned several new skills in the process.

“The costume was a great challenge,” Wilkinson said. “Some skills I had experience in, such as sculpting oil-based clay and molding and casting latex. Others were brand new.”

Wilkinson constructed the costume’s armor from foam using a wire skeleton underneath.

“It required special techniques to make it look like metal,” Wilkinson said. “I also learned how to solder and how to wire basic circuits to do the lights in the armor.

Although Wilkinson’s work at Rio Salado doesn’t typically involve a soldering gun, she said she believes there’s still some crossover in the skill set.

“My costuming project could not have been more different from the work I do at Rio - yet the underlying principles are surprisingly similar,” Wilkinson said. “Both types of work require curiosity and a desire to learn new things. They also both involve a lot of troubleshooting and trying different things in order to get the result you want.”

Wilkinson’s hobby started in childhood with handmade Halloween costumes.

“When I was 13, I made my first costume, a rather clunky dinosaur from Jurassic Park,” Wilkinson said. “Every year, I experiment with new materials and ideas. I'd been in kind of a costuming lull, but seeing the amazing costumes at Phoenix Comicon over the past few years inspired me to get back into it again.”

Wilkinson has a variety of creative interest revolving around fantasy and science fiction themes including artisan crafts, fiction writing and fantasy art.

“Fantasy and science fiction are two sides of the same coin. They both allow for the creation of worlds - or entire alternate realities - that simply cannot exist in our own,” Wilkinson said. “They're a fantastic playground for creativity, and looking beyond that, I find that the mythology of any given place and time says a lot about the people who created it. That's true whether you're looking at ancient Egypt or at the superhero mythos so present in today's culture.”

According to Wilkinson, the best way to get started with costuming and fantasy art is to just get started.

“Just do it! Start drawing, start learning Photoshop, start planning a costume. There is a wealth of information and advice available at your fingertips,” Wilkinson said.

She recommends researching costume tutorials online. Wilkinson herself provides resources for newcomers including a series of blog posts that detail the Garrus costume from concept to completion.

“There are more tools available now to educate yourself than there have ever been in the past,” Wilkinson said. “If you are passionate about something, make the time to follow up on it. Life is too short to do anything less.”

This story can also be found in the June 29 edition of The Tempe Republic.

Thursday, June 27, 2013

KJZZ is making an investment in a new generation of public radio programs that are bound to please avid listeners and new audiences alike. The new schedule premieres July 1 and includes new NPR favorites like Radiolab, theTED Radio Hour and a new KJZZ program called The Show.

It is a top priority for KJZZ to provide a dynamic mix of programs and local content.

The newly formatted Here and Now premieres Monday, July 1 at 11 a.m. NPR, which recently acquired Here and Now fromPRI, will launch its first edition of the reformatted two-hour show with Robin Young and Jeremy Hobson. KJZZ will co-produce the program, providing news and stories from Arizona and the Southwest. KJZZ reporters will also share local news reports and analysis on how national events discussed on the show affect Arizonans.

The Show has a similar strategy. This all-new KJZZ production premieres Friday, July 12 at 2 p.m. The Show will be hosted by KJZZ veteran reporters Mark Brodie and Steve Goldstein with help from The Takeaway team and several other public radio reporters and hosts across the country. The goal is to provide listeners with a mix of local and national content with an emphasis on how the news of the day affects Arizonans.

“We need to be connected to our community,” said Jon Hoban, KJZZ Chief Content Officer. “The news from the Valley, the nation and from around the globe has an impact on how we live, work and learn every day. It’s our goal to provide a unique service of news and features that will keep listeners up to date and entertained.”

“The addition of these programs is part of an effort to offer the creative and thoughtful voices that listeners count on from KJZZ,” continued Hoban. “These programs along with even more metro-Phoenix and Arizona voices bring our community together and bolster the trusted and innovative content you hear on 91.5 and KJZZ.org.

KJZZ invites listeners to share their input about the new schedule and to submit program topics for The Show. You can send an email using the programming category atKJZZ.org or engage in the dialogue using KJZZ’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

The total cost of a college education is more than just tuition. Each year, the Rio Salado Financial Aid Office creates a standard student budget in order to approximate the total cost of attendance at RSC. Students are encouraged to use these estimations to plan their academic budget.

Here are just a few of the expenses students should consider when planning a budget:

Application Fees

Books

School supplies

Computer and Internet expenses

Transportation

Room and Board

Students can also use the Net Price Calculator to help determine their total cost of attendance at Rio Salado College.

Monday, June 24, 2013

PHOENIX, AZ (June 20, 2013) – CareerBuilder and Republic Media (The Arizona Republic, azcentral.com, La Voz) announced today that Rio Salado College earned a spot on the inaugural Careerbuilders Top Companies to Work for in Arizona list.

"It's very rewarding to be named one of Arizona's top companies to work for," said Rio Salado College President Chris Bustamante. "Rio Salado is well-known for innovations in education, but it's the people who define this institution. Our employees are creative, enthusiastic and embrace a culture of continuous improvement.”
Companies were evaluated and selected based on a combination of overall satisfaction scores from an employee engagement survey and evaluation from an employer questionnaire covering topics related to human resource programs, benefits and workplace culture.

Winners were announced at a “Top Companies” breakfast reception June 20 and the full list and related stories appeared in a special supplement inserted in the June 23 edition of The Arizona Republic, and online at TopCompaniesAZ.azcentral.com.

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About Rio Salado College:
Rio Salado College was established in 1978 by the Maricopa County Community College District to provide the next step in education for non-traditional students. The college, headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, is one of the largest online public community colleges in the nation serving more than 67,000 students annually. In addition to providing high-quality instruction for 100+ degree and certificate pathways, Rio Salado is dedicated to providing flexible, affordable access through; adult basic education, collaborative partnerships, early college initiatives and online learning. Rio Salado has embraced an innovative culture since its inception. The college prides itself on staying at the forefront and providing new and effective ways to help students take the next step in their education.

About Republic Media
Republic Media is a consultative media company that provides you with the means to deliver your message to the right audience in the most effective way. From online to print to direct mail, Republic Media encompasses an array of products including The Arizona Republic, azcentral.com, 12 News, and La Voz. Since 1890, The Arizona Republic continues to be Arizona's most trusted and most read newspaper. www.RepublicMedia.com

About CareerBuilder®
CareerBuilder is the global leader in human capital solutions, helping companies target and attract their most important asset - their people. Its online career site, CareerBuilder.com®, is the largest in the United States with more than 24 million unique visitors, 1 million jobs and 49 million resumes. CareerBuilder works with the world’s top employers, providing resources for everything from employment branding and talent intelligence to recruitment support. More than 10,000 websites, including 140 newspapers and broadband portals such as MSN and AOL, feature CareerBuilder’s proprietary job search technology on their career sites. Owned by Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE:GCI), Tribune Company and The McClatchy Company (NYSE:MNI), CareerBuilder and its subsidiaries operate in the United States, Europe, South America, Canada and Asia. For more information, visit www.careerbuilder.com.

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Tomorrow marks the start of Deaf-Blind Awareness Week, a national observance created by Presidential Proclamation in 1984 to honor the birth month of Helen Keller.

Over the years, Rio Salado College has done its part to serve students with disabilities, including those with visual, hearing, learning, physical, mental, emotional, and temporary health challenges.

“Rio Salado provides reasonable accommodations to all students with documented disabilities, and works with each student individually to determine what is appropriate,” said Terry Ferra, manager of the college’s Disability Resources and Services department.

Interpreters for deaf and hard-of-hearing students for in-person events

“We refer many of our students struggling with personal development, family, mental, and/or emotions issues to our Counseling Services department,” Ferra said. “Even though our counselors are not therapists, they are amazing resources to help guide students in these areas.”

The college has had a dedicated Disability Services department for nine years, and has seen exponential growth during that time.

“Before the department was established, the college served approximately 25-40 students per year,” Ferra said. “Now our department accommodates an average of 500 students per year.”

Ferra has always had an interest in helping individuals with disabilities.

“The best thing about my job is the partnership created with our students so they can achieve success, not only with their educational goals but with their personal development as well,” Ferra said.

Gregory Kosko, a 2012 Rio Salado graduate, attributes his academic success to the services he received at the college.

"Rio Salado’s Disability Services, and specifically manager Terry Ferra, helped me through to the completion of each and every course," Kosko said. "Without this assistance, I simply would not have been able to return to school."

Kosko didn’t let a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease get in the way of going back to school for a degree to further his careering options. He used voice recognition software to help complete his homework assignments, because his tremors made it difficult to type on a keyboard.

“It inspired me to work with those who have disabilities because I experienced it firsthand," Kosko said.

Ferra works to get the word out about all the services students can get at Rio Salado.

“We make presentations to high schools to provide information to students with disabilities who may be interested in attending college,” Ferra said. “We also collaborate with high school counselors and transition specialists and other entities to create a bridge to academic success.”

Friday, June 21, 2013

The first and second seasons of the popular HBO series Game of Thrones are now available for checkout at the Rio Salado Library. This epic fantasy drama has won multiple Emmy awards and has developed a cult following. See what all the buzz is about! Check out Game of Thrones at the Rio Salado College library.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Rio Salado College is now accepting applications from military veterans for a veteran work study opportunity. Students must meet a ¾ time enrollment minimum and be eligible for education benefits under any chapter other than the Veteran’s Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP).

The position will offer up to 25 hoursof work per week with duties including:

Assist student veterans with information on available benefits and services

Answer general inquiries by phone, email or in-person

Manage, maintain and organize files

Desired knowledge and experience includes:

Experience working in an office setting

Experience working in a team environment

Knowledge of Microsoft Office

Interested student veterans may contact Tara Simo in the Rio Salado College Veteran’s Affairs office or send a cover letter and resume to Tara.simo@riosalado.edu. Applications will be accepted until Tuesday, July 2.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

It's important for students to submit all required financial aid documents on or before the Priority Filing Deadline. This includes the Free Application For Student Aid (FAFSA) in addition to other documentation that may be needed to authenticate identity, residency or prior education.

Meeting the Priority Filing Deadline will help qualified students avoid processing delays and ensure that:

Tuition payments are deferred

The student will not be dropped for non-payment

Book Advance funds are available prior to the start of class

Financial Aid Funds are released in a timely manner

Deadlines for Fall 2013 semester blocks begin July 12. Students will find the Priority Filing Deadline for their chosen semester block by visiting the Priority Filing Deadline Chart.

Friday, June 14, 2013

This guide provides links to key library resources for accounting students. Students will find subject-specific article databases, books and eBooks, as well as video and image collections. The guide also contains links to relevant web resources. Search tips and tricks, information about tutoring, and “Guide’s Picks” are also included to help you succeed in your accounting classes.

Developed by Kirstin Thomas, Instructional Coordinator for the Library, this subject-specific guide is designed to be a one-stop shop for all of your accounting–related research needs.

Questions/comments about the guide? Contact kirstin.thomas@riosalado.edu.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

It's not unusual for students to take online classes at Rio Salado College (RSC) while attending another Maricopa County Community College District college, state university or other educational institution.

Students who would like to use financial aid to pay for classes at two colleges during the same semester must complete a consortium agreement. The consortium agreement allows students to receive financial aid based on the combined enrollment at multiple colleges.

Here are some things students should know about consortium agreements

Students will only receive financial aid from one institution.

The college where you receive your financial aid is referred to as the parent school or home institution.

If RSC is the home institution, a 6 credit minimum RSC enrollment is required for student loans.

The school where you attend classes but do not receive aid is called the participating school or host institution.

Students are responsible for making payment arrangements at the participating school.

If RSC is the participating school the account balance must be paid by the first day of class.

Not all schools will qualify for a consortium agreement with Rio Salado College.

Note: Coursework from the participating school that overlaps from one semester to the next at the parent school could cause adjustments or delays to current and future disbursements of student aid funds.

During the 2012-13 My Military Hero campaign, active duty service members were nominated by friends and family to be recognized by the My Military Hero program. Each month one hero was selected to be featured on social media and a digital billboard courtesy of Clear Channel Outdoor. The selected heroes were also entered for a chance to win a 2012 Ford F-150 SuperCab. The 2012-13 giveaway will take place this Friday at Sanderson Ford in Glendale.

The 2013-14 My Military Hero campaign begins in July and is open to all active military personnel 18 or older who reside in the KFYI Total Survey Area. Selected heroes in the 2013-14 campaign will receive a $500 gift certificate in addition to local recognition and a chance to win a new vehicle.

"This is a great promotion for Rio Salado to be involved in," said Rachelle Clarke, associate dean of student affairs at Rio Salado College. "Rio Salado is uniquely equipped to support military students. Our online format goes where they go and adapts to their sometimes erratic schedule. We value the relationship that has developed with our local military community over the years, and the My Military Hero program lets us show our appreciation for everything they do."

Rio Salado College offers a variety of military outreach initiatives including the East Valley Veteran's Education Center, Troops to Teachers, Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts, Military Leadership certificate and degree programs, and military specific advisement and support.

Friday, June 7, 2013

The Rio Salado College Dental Clinic re-opened earlier this week. The clinic is located across the street from RSC Tempe at 2323 W. 14th street. It is a partnership between Rio Salado College, the Arizona Dental Association, and Delta Dental Insurance. Services are provided by students in the RSC Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting programs.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

RSC Northern is temporarily closed while we resolve a building issue at that location. RSC Thomas is the closest alternative.

For Testing or Proctoring needs, consult the Rio Salado College Testing Center locations page. Please contact the Testing Center location directly to see if the testing or proctoring service you need is available at that location.

Financial aid verification ensures that financial aid funds are going to qualified students by discouraging inaccurate or fraudulent FAFSA submissions. The verification process is mandated by federal law and requires students to be randomly selected by the Department of Education. Being selected for verification is not an indication of any wrongdoing. Approximately 30% of students who apply for financial aid will be selected for verification.

Students who have been selected will be notified in their my.maricopa.edu student center. Students should regularly check their student email account and the To Do list in their student center for alerts and reminders.

Starting with the 2013-14 financial aid year, students will submit verification documents through the Verification Management System provided by the Maricopa County Community College District. After logging into VMS, students will find a list of required documentation and any actions that need to be taken. When submitting documents, students should be sure to include the approved cover sheet for EACH form submitted. For additional information on the financial aid verification process, visit my.maricopa.edu.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Dr. Bustamante to Help Guide Policy for Higher Education’s Largest Sector

Dr. Chris Bustamante, president of Rio Salado College has been elected to the Board of Directors for the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), a national organization representing the nation’s almost 1,200 two-year colleges and their more than 13 million students.

New board members were certified during AACC’s recent annual meeting in San Francisco, Calif., and will officially take office July 1, serving a three-year term. The 32 member AACC board governs association policy and helps guide strategic direction for national advocacy and other key functions of the Washington, D.C.-based organization.

“I am honored to serve with the members and leadership of the AACC Board,” said Dr. Bustamante. “The challenge today is to provide more students with access to higher education and then see them through to completion. That means that we will have to think differently about how we deliver higher education and create innovative solutions to achieve that goal.”

Dr. Bustamante is the president of the largest of the ten Maricopa Community Colleges located in metropolitan Phoenix and one of the largest public online colleges in the nation. He is a well-known advocate for increasing access to higher education and degree completion, and for forging transformational partnerships with business, government, and other educational providers.

The selection of new board members infuses new energy into the association’s leadership and comes during a key time for community colleges, say its leaders.

“America’s community colleges represent the hope of brighter futures for millions of people today and are keeping the dream of postsecondary education affordable,” said Dr. Walter G. Bumphus, president of AACC. “Our new board members are joining us during a pivotal time, as community colleges are being asked to double the number of students completing degrees and other postsecondary credentials and to train significantly more workers to meet the needs of employers throughout the nation.”

The Public At-Large representative is: Carrie Billy, executive director of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (Alexandria, Va.)

The Affiliated Council representatives are: Chris Bustamante, president, Rio Salado College (Tempe, Ariz.), and Mary Rittling, president, Davidson County Community College (Lexington, N.C.)

Twenty-four board members are elected by AACC’s institutional membership (18 institutional representatives and six affiliated council representatives). Six are elected by the board itself (three institutional at-large members and three public at-large members) and represent constituencies such as boards of trustees, business or government.

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About AACC Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the American Association of Community Colleges is a national organization representing the nation’s close to 1,200 community, junior, and technical colleges and their over 13 million students. Community colleges are the largest sector of higher education, enrolling almost half of all U.S. undergraduates. For more information about AACC and community colleges, visit www.aacc.nche.edu.

Monday, June 3, 2013

A new version of RioLounge, Rio Salado College's virtual student union, is available now on Google+Communities. The previous version of RioLounge will be discontinued effective July 1, 2013.

The new RioLounge platform offers the type of peer-to-peer support, professional networking and interpersonal connections that can help students persist when things get tough. Moving to Google+Communities means students can now share photos and videos, plan events or just hangout. The new platform is open to the entire Rio Salado College community and everyone is encouraged to participate.Discussion categories include:

Ask RioLounge - Ask for help and advice from the Rio Salado College community.

Books For Sale - Buy and sell used textbooks.

Phi Theta Kappa - Connect with members of the PTK Honor Society.

Honors Program - Discuss the honors program at Rio Salado College.

Military Students - Talk to Rio Salado students about military life, VA benefits and more.

Moms and Dads at Rio - Connect with students who understand the challenges of parenthood.

Encore Students (50+) - Meet other students who are over the age of 50.

Meet-ups and Local Events - plan and promote non-sanctioned local events.*

Google+ is not currently supported by student Gmail. A personal Gmail account is required to create a Google+ account and join the RioLounge Google+Community.

The RioLounge Google+Community provides students with an opportunity to network with peers, get support from classmates and share their college experience. The entire Rio Salado College community is encouraged to participate. Here's how:

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Congress passed an amendment that restores tuition assistance for students who are members of the Air Force, Air National Guard, Marines, Army, Army National Guard and the Reserves. This funding will continue until at least September 30, 2013. It does not cover members of the Coast Guard, who are funded instead through the Department of Homeland Security.

Roughly 300,000 servicemembers used the military tuition assistance programs last year. The tuition assistance program is available for active-duty members, reservists and National Guard members attending high school completion courses, vocational courses or classes toward an associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degree after hours. It provides up to $4,500 per fiscal year, or $250 per semester hour or credit hour.
For more information about the military tuition assistance program, contact Rio Salado Military Advisement at (480)517-8590 or toll-free (800)517-8590.

For a step-by-step guide to getting started at Rio Salado College visit www.startatrio.com